Florida Gulf Coast University
PAE-24: Sustainability Policy Advocacy

As a publicly funded University, FGCU primarily supports open dialogue about public policy and research efforts to resolve questions affecting decision making rather than to advocate directly for any specific public policy. Nevertheless, through its participation with the State Board of Governors, and regional taskforces and committees, the University does promote sustainability through public policy. Below are a few examples from the last three years. • In December 2009 FGCU negotiated a change in policy with Florida Commuter Services to allow participants in our ride sharing program Ride2FGCU (www.Ride2FGCU.com) to automatically be enrolled and allowed to participate in Commuter Services’ Emergency Ride Home program. • Dr. Gerry Segal moderated a session on alternative energy at the 2010 Southwest Florida Green Futures exposition. • FGCU Environmental Health and Safety director participated on the City of Bonita Springs Sustainability 2046 working group during the spring 2011 term. • The FGCU Director of Facilities sits on the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization as a representative of FGCU. • FGCU regularly works with the local Regional Transit Authority to find ways to increase the frequency and scope of bus service to the FGCU campus. This includes contracting to pay the RTA to provide additional bus service to the campus. Transportation in terms of reducing vehicle miles on local roads, increasing pedestrian and bicycle traffic to the campus, and increased bus service are a part of the University’s Master Plan (http://www.fgcu.edu/Facilities/MasterPlan.html)currently under revision. • FGCU faculty participates on the Estero Bay Agency on Bay Management, and in September 2009 FGCU hosted the Estero Bay Watershed Public Symposium. (http://faculty.fgcu.edu/ndemers/esterowatershedsymp09/2009%20Estero%20Bay%20Watershed%20Symposium%20Flyer.pdf) • In 2010, Dr. Peter Corcoran was elected to a steering committee at UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) in Nairobi, Kenya, spoke at a special celebration of Earth Charter +10 in Amman, Jordan, and addressed members of diplomatic delegations at UNESCO in Paris, France. (http://www.fgcu.edu/CESE/2010archives.html)